Eli Lilly, a major U.S.-based pharmaceutical company, launched its blockbuster drug Mounjaro in India on March 20, 2025. Mounjaro is a treatment for type 2 diabetes and obesity, administered as a once-weekly injection. This launch marks a significant step as it addresses the growing health challenges of obesity and diabetes in India, a country with over 101 million people living with diabetes and rising obesity rates. The drug has been approved by India’s Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) and is available in single-dose vials, priced at ₹3,500 for 2.5 mg and ₹4,375 for 5 mg. This pricing is notably lower than in markets like the U.S., where Mounjaro costs around $1,086 per month, reflecting Eli Lilly’s effort to make the drug more accessible in India.
The launch has positioned Eli Lilly ahead of its competitor, Novo Nordisk, which plans to introduce its rival weight-loss drug Wegovy in India by 2026. Mounjaro’s introduction is seen as a response to the increasing demand for innovative treatments for metabolic health, with the drug already generating over $20 billion in global sales since its U.S. debut in 2022.